The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival continues with its online film programme until Monday 3 August. New films will be released every Monday at 12pm, with BSL-interpreted discussions with filmmakers taking place on Zoom every Thursday at 8.30pm. Discover the full programme below.
Lost Transmissions
29 June-3 July
On the same date that it is released in the UK, we are delighted to present an online screening of Lost Transmissions. The debut film from director Katharine O’Brien, it stars Simon Pegg as a musician with a history of schizophrenia, and Juno Temple as the friend who takes responsibility for supporting him as he goes through a relapse. Based on personal experiences, it is a sensitive portrayal of mental illness that avoids neat conclusions and seeks to raise awareness about the challenges people face in accessing support.
Writer-director Katharine O’Brien will join us for a Zoom discussion on Thursday 2 July at 8.30pm, with BSL interpretation available. Visit this page to access the film and register here to book your place for the discussion.
Riptide
6-12 July
Discharged from a psychiatric hospital, Jacob attempts to resume his life in Edinburgh and control his schizophrenia. On a trip to the Highlands, he finds the charismatic Eva who claims to be the secret daughter of Ingmar Bergman. A love story about schizophrenia, this new film from director Tim Barrow has its world premiere online with SMHAF.
The film will be available to view here from Monday 6 July at 12pm for one week only – you can watch the trailer and read our programme notes now. Tim Barrow will join us for a Zoom Q&A on Thursday 9 July at 8.30pm. Register for your place here.
Women’s Worlds
13-20 July
Three short films exploring women’s experiences with mental health issues. Stand Still (Isabella Wing-Davey) is a hard-hitting drama about a doctor with severe postnatal depression; High Flying Jade (Katherine Sweetman) is a unique documentary about an aerialist training for her first performance in a big top circus in Vietnam; and The Stories We Tell Ourselves (Belle Krupcheck) is an experimental autobiographical film about coming out, self-harm and recovery.
The films will be available to view from Monday 13 July at 12pm for one week only. Join us for a discussion with directors Isabella Wing-Davey, Katherine Sweetman and Belle Krupcheck. Register for your place here.
Conviction
20-26 July
Conviction is a raw and powerful Canadian documentary that envisions alternatives to prison through the eyes of women behind bars and those fighting on the front lines of the decarceration movement. Using photography, filmmaking, poetry and activism, four women document how the cyclical nature of imprisonment reinforces addiction and mental health problems. It compels us to examine why we imprison the most vulnerable among us, and at what cost.
Conviction will be available to view from Monday 20 July at 12pm for one week only. Join us for a Zoom discussion with co-directors Teresa MacInnes, Nance Ackerman and Ariella Pahlke on Thursday 23 July at 8.30pm. Register for your place here.
Caring Spaces
27 July-2 August
Caring Spaces is a short film programme exploring the different ways we care for each other. Alexander’s Film, Eleven, and Never Actually Lost each bring unique, artistic perspectives to the subject of care.
Caring Spaces will be available to view from Monday 27 July at 12pm. Join us for a Zoom discussion with directors Mark Cousins, Rowan Ings and Philippa Clark on Thursday 30 July at 8.30pm. Register for your place here.